2007 Dodge Nitro

Dodge moves even further away from cute.

Is it us, or does Dodge seem to have, well, a complex? A recent history of the Ram division: since 1994, the Dodge Ram pickup has been the very embodiment of rolling phallic architecture. Then more recently, the blocky Caliber compact came along and slammed the door on the bubbly Neon as if it was a Jehovah's Witness administering a 6 a.m. wake-up call. And now, the Dodge creates its take on the Jeep Liberty-arguably one of the better-endowed mini-utes in the testosterone department-and makes it look as prissy as a French Poodle fresh back from the groomers.

Not that we're complaining. Indeed, it's about time that one of these car companies built a compact SUV that truly appeals to anyone with a Y chromosome but without making it look like it's about ready to make a run for the Camel Trophy. For starters, the Nitro's square-jawed, grinning face has a sort of retro-'80s hip-ness to it, like a single David Bowie getting ready for his first date with Iman. The prominently flared fenders are the automotive equivalent of the bulging deltoids on a Men's Fitness cover model. Particularly when they're filled out with the huge, optional 20-inch wheels, the Dodge trucklet earns more street cred than any "cute-ute" could ever handle. The only part that leaves us cold is the flat rear end, but at least it's not ruined by an ugly spare tire, like on the Liberty.

Open a door and it's more of the same. Though the interior offers no real surprises in the design department, that's just as well, as "surprises" are more often concessions to the female in the household and come designed to match. No, the Nitro simply offers an ergonomic dashboard and pretty much all the equipment you'd expect at its price point. The base SXT version starts at $19,885 ($2140 cheaper than a base Liberty) and is rather modestly equipped with a "three-bomb" instrument cluster, black dash trim, cloth seats (all of which recline), A/C and a basic audio setup (yes, with a jack for your iPod). The mid-grade SLT ($23,295) and top-end R/T ($25,970) are significantly more comfortable, with basically the same equipment inside save the R/T's seat stitching and additional logos. Specifically, SLT and R/Ts get dressier silver dash and door trim, a sliding cargo floor, and a longer options list that includes heated leather seats, a moonroof and a bunch more. The R/T also can be had with an optional red-and-black two-tone cloth interior.